Politics
Senator Abubakar Kyari: What Kashim Shettima, Ahmed Lawan told us about the APC Deputy National Chairman North
Senator Abubakar Kyari: What Kashim Shettima, Ahmed Lawan told us about the APC Deputy National Chairman North
By: James Bwala
‘When you need a reliable personality getting someone like Senator Abubakar Kyari can be a herculean task, but when you do you are rest assured of the job being done’. This sums up the personality of the APC Deputy National Chairman, North – Senator Abubakar Kyari in the words of the 9th Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan.
Kyari’s has an intimidating profile rising from childhood. It was a wish only few people have. But his humility and character made him the most endearing. Senator Kashim Shettima, who summarizes the rise and life of the former Borno north Senator concluded by saying, he would rather be saved from an embarrassing scene by a colleague, who would always walked up to him to greet him as he steps into the Red Chambers and as well run to him to take his papers, while he is leaving the Chambers.
“This is not a slavish loyalty but of a relationship borne out of deep respect.” Shettima mentioned as he rejoices with Senator Abubakar Kyari, whom he address as his boss as he takes a new assignment in our nation’s building.
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In his words: “Francis Beacon, the British philosopher once said consistency is the foundation of all batches.” According to Kashim Shettima this is a reflection of the life of Senator Abubakar Kyari. “He spends a whopping 9 years of his childhood days in the sprawling ground of one of the iconic centre of power in Nigeria in Sir Kashim Ibrahim house in Kaduna.
” This is when his father, the Venerable Brigadier General Abba Kyari was the governor of the defunct North Central states between 1967 and 1976.” Kashim Shettima said, ” Habu Kyari was born into a life of privilege, he was born with the probabiel silver spoon but his life is a steady in consummate humility and dedicated service. This America educated economies when he venture into politics go for the lowly position of a counselor in Mobbar local government area of Borno state in 1996.”
Describing the tarrain, Senator Kashim Shettima explained that this is in a tarrain populated by hynas, jackals and all sorts of all assorted animals. ” Habu Kyari is one hell of a gentleman who is brutally loyal and committed to whatever cause he champions.”
Kashim Shettima further neither explained that, in a terrain where the political class suffered from chronic memory lost, where people hardly look beyond their nose nor think beyond the depth of their pockets, Habu Kyari a steady in consistency and loyalty. “My road crosses paths with Senator Abubakar Kyari’s own when we were Commissioners and Colleagues in the Borno state executive council between 2007 and 2011.
“He became my chief of staff when I was a governor between 2011 and 2015. I was the Boss. I was the one calling the shots. He became my political soulmate, brother and friend when he became a Senator between 2015 and 2019. And from 2019 onwards, Senator Abubakar Kyari became my colleague in the hallow chambers. From the 26th day of March 2022, Senator Abubakar Kyari became my Boss as the Deputy National Chairman of the APC.
“Distinguished Colleagues, we should all anticipate and embrace this beautiful circle of life. The only thing about life is the change component….With the exit of Habu Kyari. I am going to be save from one embarrassing scene of a colleague coming up to greet me anytime I came into the chamber. Of a colleague rushing in to pick my papers when I am leaving the hallow chamber not out of any slavish loyalty but out of genuine respect and affection’. Kashim Shettima concluded.
Also speaking on the personality of Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Senate President Dr. Ahmed Lawan recalls so many experiences that relates to Kyari’s ability and reliability in any given assignments. According to him, “Like one of our colleagues put. The combinations of Adamu and Kyari can never be better. We served in the House of Representative in 1999 and at that time we had one critical issue that requires the house to set up a committee to the effect. We needed for the services to members of the house then – reliability, stability, transparency and accountability and the house had no option but to set up a 12 man committee to discharge those responsibilities to all members including the Speaker and other principal officers.
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“Senator Abubakar Kyari was the chairman of that committee. We called them the 12 wise men. I will not give details but the point I am making is that, Senator Abubakar Kyari is a reliable personality, he is transparent to the effect that when he told you something, you can take that to the Bank as would the deputy Senate President said.” Lawan added.
According to him, while Kyari did not come back to join them in the house in 2003, he had sojourn in the Borno state government. “But we never lose contact and he remained available to all of us. In 2019, as some of you may recall. We had a committee of either 7 or 11 who are arrange for offices and our chairs. Of course Senator Abubakar Kyari was the Chairman of that committee. When we are trying to constitute the leadership committees I called Senator Abubakar Kyari to my office, and I asked him, which committee he would want to serve as Chairman. He said any Committee you want me to serve and he left.
“I did not tell him that we are considering him to serve as the chairman FCT Committee. He did not ask, and even when I asked him, he did not say anything. What I am trying to emphasize here is that this shows his kind of mindset and that is to serve and give services regardless of what the service channel would be. We are very proud of him and the people of Borno state, the governor and Distinguish Senator Kashim Shettima as well as others.
“I recalled before the APac convention, they came together and said we want Senator Abubakar Kyari to be the Deputy National Chairman, North if it is zone to us. And of course, Borno and Yobe always go together, we said of course, if it is zone to us, it is going to be for Borno to take. And why should it be Senator Abubakar Kyari? Reliability! And of course, Senator Kashim Shettima told us more because he knows him more closely.”
Senator Abubakar Kyari: What Kashim Shettima, Ahmed Lawan told us about the APC Deputy National Chairman North
Politics
Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa
Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa
Abdulrahaman Kwancham, Adamawa Northern Senatorial zone aspirant under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the party leadership in the zone to be fair towards ensuring victory for the party in 2027 General Elections.
Kwancham made the call during a courtesy visit to the party leadership in Mubi-North Local Government Area.
He said fairness and justice would help the party members to remain united and succeed beyond politics.
“We should please remain peaceful and united in APC for the seek of God as well as to shun anti party for the victory of our party”, he said.
He explained that some people were in the party spreading rumours to cause problem between him and Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri because of the seat despite Fintiri is yet to officially declare his intentions to contest.
According to him, he is not desperate in his pursuit of the senatorial seat, despite the several groups coming to urge him to contest.
“If Gov. Fintiri comes out, I am ready to step down considering his outstanding performance in the state.
“Even if you don’t like Fintiri, you know that he has worked for the state and I am not fighting him “, he said.
In his remarks, the party Chairman appreciated the aspirant for the visit and assured a level playing grounds for all.
He assured their readiness to work in accordance with the party guideline for the success of the party.
Kwancham earlier paid homage on the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Isa Ahmadu who conferred on Kwancham the traditional title of Sarkin Fulani Mubi.
The Emir described the honour as well-deserved, citing Kwancham’s character, leadership qualities, and commitment to humanitarian activities.
Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa
Politics
2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe
2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Yobe state chapter, has promised to deliver 3.5 million votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in the 2027 presidential election.
The president of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan GCON, disclosed to newsmen in a communique issued after a meeting of all APC stakeholders, Yobe State chapter, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Damaturu.
He said in the last presidential election, Yobe state had the highest percentage performance in Nigeria, and we intend to repeat the same but with even bigger results, noting that we have, as a small state, produced election results that compete favorably against results from bigger states because of our unity and understanding shown for each other.
The communique further stated that the Yobe State APC chapter has resolved to adopt consensus as a mode of elections to produce its candidates for the governorship, national assembly membership, and state assembly membership that is out of the two modes specified in the electorate act, consensus and direct; the APC has fixed consensus.
“And from our previous experience, consensus has always worked for us in this state in APC, and a candidate that emerges in any position will receive the support of all in this party, including, of course, aspirants who would have wished that were fixed. We support our candidates whenever they emerge.
He said the national members from Yobe State have always worked very closely and harmoniously with the state government, which has always been in APC in the last few years, especially during the Geidam era and, of course, presently with the Rt. Hon. Mai Mala Buni administration, and therefore this will continue because we have always seen the benefit of understanding and supporting each other.
2027: APC promises 3.5 million votes for TINUBU in Yobe
Politics
Edo South 2027: Why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Remains a Strong Senatorial Option,
Edo South 2027: Why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Remains a Strong Senatorial Option,
By Augustine Osayande, PhD
As Edo South gradually enters the early phase of political alignment ahead of the 2027 senatorial election, it is becoming increasingly evident that the contest will not merely be about personalities, but about the depth of experience, institutional capacity, and the ability to translate political influence into measurable development outcomes.
Among the figures already shaping this emerging conversation is Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, whose name continues to surface consistently in stakeholder consultations and intra-party engagements across the district.
Whether one views him through a partisan lens or a governance-oriented perspective, his presence in Edo South political discourse is neither incidental nor new—it is the product of sustained political engagement spanning multiple electoral cycles and administrative roles.
From my perspective, Ize-Iyamu represents a category of political actors whose relevance is built not only on ambition, but on long-term institutional exposure and embeddedness within the machinery of state governance. This factor alone places him in a distinct position within any serious evaluation of potential senatorial contenders.
Recent engagements across Edo South, particularly within political structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC), indicate an early but deliberate process of consultation and alignment among key stakeholders.
These meetings—often involving local government party leadership, ward representatives, and aspirants—have focused on representation gaps, development priorities, and internal party cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle.
In one such engagement, an aspirant formally met with APC chairmen across the seven local government areas in Edo South to declare intent and outline a preliminary vision for legislative representation. Discussions reportedly centred on the need for stronger advocacy at the National Assembly and improved coordination between federal presence and local development needs.
Such consultations are increasingly becoming a defining feature of pre-election politics in Edo South, reflecting both the strategic importance of the senatorial seat and the growing awareness among political actors that legislative representation must go beyond symbolic presence.
A central argument in favour of Osagie Ize-Iyamu is his extensive experience within the executive arm of government in Edo State. His service as Chief of Staff between 1999 and 2003, and subsequently as Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007, placed him in positions that are critical to governance coordination and policy execution.
These roles are not peripheral; they are central to the functioning of government. They involve oversight of administrative systems, coordination between ministries and agencies, and direct interface with the governor on policy implementation. This kind of exposure is particularly relevant to legislative duties at the National Assembly, where success is often determined by an understanding of how executive decisions are formulated, funded, and implemented.
In practical terms, senators are expected to do more than debate legislation—they are also required to influence budgetary outcomes, negotiate constituency projects, and engage in complex intergovernmental advocacy. A background such as Ize-Iyamu’s provides a form of institutional literacy that can be difficult to acquire quickly within the legislative environment.
One of the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s legislative system is the gap between representation and effective delivery of constituency benefits. Many legislators enter the National Assembly without prior experience in governance structures, which often limits their capacity to navigate federal bureaucracy.
In this context, Ize-Iyamu’s administrative background becomes a significant factor. His exposure to executive processes equips him with an understanding of how to engage ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as how to position constituency priorities within national development frameworks.
For Edo South, where issues of infrastructure development, youth unemployment, environmental challenges, and industrial underdevelopment remain central concerns, the ability to effectively interface with federal institutions is not merely desirable—it is essential.
Another dimension of Ize-Iyamu’s political profile is his endurance across Nigeria’s often volatile political terrain. Over the past two decades, he has remained an active participant in Edo State politics, navigating multiple party affiliations, electoral contests, and shifting alliances.
While political opponents sometimes interpret this fluidity differently, it also demonstrates a form of adaptability that is increasingly relevant in Nigeria’s coalition-driven political environment. Legislative politics, particularly at the Senate level, is rarely driven by ideology alone; it is shaped by negotiation, alliance-building, and strategic compromise.
In this respect, political resilience is not merely about survival—it is about maintaining relevance, influence, and access to evolving power structures.
Ize-Iyamu’s political career has also been marked by sustained engagement across party lines and political blocs. This has resulted in a network of relationships that extends beyond immediate partisan boundaries within Edo South.
Such networks are often critical in legislative politics, where influence is exercised not only through formal committee structures but also through informal alliances that shape decision-making, funding priorities, and project allocation.
His repeated participation in high-profile electoral contests has further reinforced his visibility at both state and national levels. In practical terms, visibility translates into political leverage, particularly in negotiations involving federal presence and constituency development projects.
Within Edo South itself, questions of equitable representation have increasingly become part of the political discourse. One recurring observation is that certain local government areas, such as Orhionmwon, have not historically held the senatorial seat since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
While zoning arrangements are often informal and politically negotiated, such historical imbalances tend to influence stakeholder conversations as elections approach. These considerations add another layer to the broader debate on fairness, inclusion, and regional balance within the senatorial district.
Ultimately, the emerging discourse around the 2027 Edo South senatorial race is beginning to crystallise around a familiar but important dichotomy: experience versus experimentation.
On one side are arguments that emphasise the need for seasoned political actors who understand governance systems, legislative procedures, and federal negotiation dynamics. On the other are calls for generational change and new political approaches.
Ize-Iyamu’s supporters clearly position him within the first category. Their argument is that Edo South requires a representative who does not need time to learn the system, but one who can immediately operate within it to deliver results.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu remains a significant figure in the evolving Edo South senatorial conversation for 2027, not merely because of political ambition, but because of a combination of institutional experience, political resilience, and established networks of influence.
While the final outcome will ultimately be determined by party decisions, zoning arrangements, and voter preferences, his profile ensures that he remains a central reference point in any serious discussion about Edo South’s representation at the National Assembly.
At its core, the debate is not simply about individuals. It is about the kind of leadership Edo South believes is best suited to navigate the complexities of federal politics and convert representation into tangible development outcomes for the district.
Augustine Osayande contributed this article through austinelande@yahoo.com
Edo South 2027: Why Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Remains a Strong Senatorial Option,
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